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Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Well it's that time again when we need to think ahead to our block-making-endeavours for Bee Blessed. We are very much looking forward to another year of making quilts and blessing individuals and groups in need.

If you would like to 'make-a-long' with us, you are more than welcome! Either by contributing to our block of the month, donating fabrics or coming along to our monthly get togethers (see my Bee Blessed page for dates).

We are kicking off the New Year with this block for January:

I've loved seeing variations of this Maple Leaf block around blogland and pinterest, and I just know it will make a beautiful Bee Blessed quilt for someone needing comforted and loved.

Here is the tutorial for a 12.5" unfinished block. We would love it if you could stick to solid white for the background, and a bright patterned fabric for the leaf and stem.

4. Trim the hsts to 4.5". One method of accurate trimming is to leave the squares folded. Draw a diagonal line on your ruler square from 4.5" to 4.5". Place this line along the stitch line of the hst and align the corner of the ruler with the corner of the hst. Trim away the excess.

5. Press the seams open and trim off the 'dog ears'. Put to one side.

6. Slice the remaining 5" white square in half diagonally. To insert the stem, fold it in half widthways & finger press to find the centre. Do this to both triangles and match up the centre points with the centre points on the strip, before sewing the 3 pieces together.

7. Trim the stem section to 4.5" square. Make sure to keep the strip centred.

8. Now layout all 9 parts of the block as shown below:

9. Sew the sections together in 3 rows first. Iron the seams of each row in opposite directions.

10. To join each row, butt & pin the intersecting seams before sewing the rows together.

11. Iron the new seams open and square off the block to 12.5" if needed.

And don't feel you have to stick to autumnal colours either! Go bright and beautiful!

I've managed to get a good bit done on my first tunic too, but as there is no such thing as a 'standard' size, I'm now trying to 'shape' it to suit my unique proportions! Not really sure what I'm doing, but happy to play and experiment with it.

patch pockets made from vintage sheets

And in true 'start something new before the last project is finished' style, I've downloaded, taped together and cut out the pattern pieces for the Wikstein Tova dress.

I've been pinning versions of this pattern since it came out. I love the shape of it and think (hope) it will suit my shape.

Looking forward to giving this one a go!

I also got some Bee Blessed blocks done today, but more on that tomorrow!

Friday, 26 December 2014

I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas day, and haven't eaten too much!!!!

I'm delighted to announce the winner of my 4th year blogiversary giveaway as ......

Congratulations to Sara! I have emailed you already.

I hope you enjoy an extra Christmas present this year!

Thank you everyone for taking part! The overwhelming feedback on what folks would like to see more of on blogs are tutorials and scrap-busting projects! So I will be planning to blog about more of these in the New Year!

I agreed to a last minute commission for a friend, and delivered this messenger bag this evening.

I used my own pattern for this one, but downsized it slightly as requested. The outer fabric is a velour type needlecord, and the intended recipient has a particular fondness for the fabric on the front of the flap, as well as campervans! Fingers crossed she likes it.

And speaking of patterns, some of you may know about the new EU VAT changes taking effect from 1st January. They will impact sellers of digital items, like me. So until there is more clarification on the changes and thresholds, I will be converting all my Etsy patterns back to email attachments, rather than instant downloadable PDFs, from 1st January.

Sadly, lots of other pattern sellers are closing their shops because of the new ruling. I hope that the decision makers in charge of these policies will see the devastating impact their new rules are having on small scale sellers across Europe.

Sunday, 21 December 2014

So now that work has finished and Christmas preparations are fairly well wrapped up (!!) I've managed a bit of 'me' sewing the past few days.

The other night, while I was wrapping presents, I sat down on my heels and ripped the backside right out of my cotton pj bottoms! Talk about draughty!!

So out came the dotty fleece I had bought ages ago (always intended for PJ bottoms) and within an hour I had some cosy new PJs bottoms! That was the draught sorted!

Next, this wee make only took half an hour!

I'm always burning my fingers on a hot bowl of microwave porridge each morning, so I found this tutorial and in no time at all I had a microwave bowl cosy!

It works a treat, so I'll be making a few more of these!

And finally, I unearthed a tunic pattern I've had knocking around for ages! Here's my progress so far.

Apart from a few simple skirts, tops and pj bottoms, I'm very inexperienced when it comes to dressmaking. But I'm enjoying taking my time on this, trying to make sense of the pattern (!!) and going off pattern more than once!

Despite this, it's a good fit so far and I've a few more ideas on how to dicky it up more! I'm loving the vintage sheet peter pan collar with the denim chambray/cotton!

To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment telling me what you would like to see more of on quilting blogs!

The giveaway is open to international readers, and I will choose the winner on Boxing Day (26/12).

Remember, if you are a 'no reply comment blogger' then please leave your email address in your comment, or you will not be entered for the giveaway.If you don't get a reply from me to your comment, then that means you are a 'no reply comment blogger' and I have no way of making contact with you.

However, I still have some presents to make for mum, sister, daughter and nephew!

We also have the dentist this week (seriously bad timing) and then of course there is the food shopping (not too soon), present wrapping (paper cuts), school Christmas concert (icy cold church), work dinner (absolutely nothing to wear), carol service (ahhhh) & Christmas eve games night (Uno anyone!)!

Somewhere in there I would like to take a minute to remember what Christmas is really all about!

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I'm delighted you've visited my blog today, but can I please ask you not to reproduce any of my creations or photos without my permission. In most instances I'll be happy to oblige, but I'd be grateful if you would ask first. Thank you, Jxo